Eric Lajeunesse

Eric James Lajeunesse (born March 10, 2003) is a Canadian soccer player.

Eric Lajeunesse
Personal information
Full name Eric James Lajeunesse
Date of birth (2003-03-10) March 10, 2003
Place of birth Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2011–2021 Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Academy
2021–2022 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– UBC Thunderbirds 21 (1)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Whitecaps FC Academy 12 (0)
2023 Pacific FC 6 (0)
2023 → Nautsa’mawt FC (loan) 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 17, 2023

Early life

From 2011 to 2021, he played with the Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Academy.[1] In 2019, he had a five-week trial with English club Plymouth Argyle's U18 team.[2] In September 2021, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps academy.[2]

University career

In 2022, Lajeunesse began attending the University of British Columbia, where he played for the men's soccer team.[3] On September 25, 2022, he scored his first goal in a 4-0 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies.[4] In his rookie season, he was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year and the U Sports Rookie of the Year.[5]

Club career

In 2022, he played with the Whitecaps FC Academy in League1 British Columbia.[6] He made his debut on May 22 against Victoria Highlanders FC.[7]

At the 2023 CPL-U Sports Draft, Lajeunesse was selected in the first round (6th overall) by Pacific FC.[8][9] After attending pre-season with the club, he signed a U-Sports development contract with the club in April 2023, allowing him to maintain his university eligibility.[10] He made his professional debut on April 21 in a 2023 Canadian Championship match against Cavalry FC.[11] He also spent some time on loan with Pacific's League1 British Columbia affiliate Nautsa’mawt FC in 2023.[12] In August 2023, he departed the club to return to university, per the terms of his U Sports contract.[13][14]

Career statistics
As of August 17, 2023[15]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Whitecaps FC Academy 2022 League1 British Columbia 120–––120
Pacific FC 2023 Canadian Premier League 600010–70
Nautsa’mawt FC (loan) 2023[12] League1 British Columbia 40–––0
Career total 220001000230

    References
    1. Parmar, Sanjeev [@parmarsports] (September 3, 2021). "After 3620 days at Futuro Soccer Academy, Captain Eric Lajeunesse (2003) has signed with WhitecapsFC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    2. McColl, Michael (May 20, 2022). "Vancouver Whitecaps U19 2022 League1 BC squad profile (Part One – The Defence)".
    3. "Eric Lajeunesse UBC profile". UBC Thunderbirds.
    4. Sargeant, Jeff (September 25, 2022). "Relentless attack powers UBC to 4-0 win over Huskies". UBC Thunderbirds.
    5. Sargeant, Jeff (December 15, 2022). "Eric Lajeunesse selected sixth overall by Pacific FC in CPL-U SPORTS Draft". UBC Thunderbirds.
    6. "Whitecaps FC announce rosters for League1 BC". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 17, 2022.
    7. Fossey, Maxim (May 22, 2022). "League1 BC: Women get the win, men earn a draw". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
    8. Dheensaw, Cleve (December 16, 2022). "PFC selects Lajeunesse and Torresan in CPL-U Sports draft". Times Colonist.
    9. Honeysett, Brett (December 16, 2022). "Pacific FC selects UBC's Lajeunesse, Trinity Western's Torresan in CPL U SPORTS draft".
    10. Longo, Jack (April 12, 2023). "PFC shows faith in youth development with signing of four young Canadian players". Pacific FC.
    11. Longo, Jack (April 21, 2023). "Match Report – Pacific FC v Cavalry FC: Magic of the cup spurs Tridents onto quarter-finals". Pacific FC.
    12. "Eric Lajeunesse L1BC Stats". League1 British Columbia.
    13. Longo, Jack (August 16, 2023). "Lajeunesse returns to University of British Columbia following end of U SPORTS contract". Pacific FC.
    14. Jacques, John (August 17, 2023). "Pacific Draft Pick Eric Lajeunesse Set For Thunderbirds Return". Northern Tribune.
    15. Eric Lajeunesse at Soccerway
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